'We are the biggest population': Attendees react to Walz targeting the Latino vote in visit to Lehigh Valley

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Anyone who's heard V.P. hopeful Tim Walz speak knows he's a fan of the phrase, "mind your own business."

"People can mind their own business," Walz said Friday, at his visit to the Lehigh Valley. "You can make your healthcare decisions, you can make your family decisions."

But during his short time in Allentown, he also said to mind others' business, when it comes to getting them out to vote.

"This is how you do it, here's how you're registered, it'll only take 10 minutes, maybe I'll drive you down there to do that," Walz said. "That's how we do it."

His running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, is neck and neck with former president Donald Trump -- both nationwide and in Pennsylvania.

The would-be V.P. says the path to presidency could be right through Allentown.

"It's going to go right through Pennsylvania," he said. "And more than likely it's going to go right through Allentown."

And on Friday, inside popular Spanish food restaurant, El Tipico, Walz homed in on the Latino vote.

"We're grateful for a visit from a principal to the Latino heart of Pennsylvania," Mayor Matt Tuerk, D-Allentown, said.

The restaurant's owner, Wally Almonte, and manager, Viviana Valdez, said they were happy to hear the message straight to the Spanish community.

"I think they are trying to push the Spanish people to vote," Almonte said. "We are the biggest population, this area, in Allentown."

The U.S. Census Bureau says the Hispanic population makes up more than 50 percent of Allentown. 

Almonte and Valdez say they aren't sure why their restaurant was chosen to hold the small gathering. But they say they're grateful for the opportunity to host.

"It's very important, because they are giving us the voice to vote," Almonte said. "You know, and we can choose what we think is better for us."

After Walz spoke, he took another five minutes to walk the room and speak to everyone inside. Allentown City Councilmember Cynthia Mota was there. She tells 69 News that the attendees were all impressed with Walz, as he "gave everyone his undivided attention." And his message was relatable.

"When he was talking to you, you didn't feel like you were talking to a politician," Mota said.

But Mota also added the importance of Harris herself visiting the valley.

"Everyone says we're really important and we really are," Mota said. "It's the key to decide who will be the next president of the United States."

Former President Trump is scheduled to visit the PPL Center in Allentown this Tuesday. Meanwhile, Harris has yet to visit the area.